Kellyanne Conway is a Disgrace to Baby Boomer Women

By now most of us have seen the picture of Kellyanne Conway making herself at home in the White House with a room full of educated black men and women who happen to be the Presidents of Historically Black Colleges and Universities around the country.

Yes, I was outraged but I also felt a sense of sadness for this 50-year-old woman who thought, in her mind, that it was okay to behave in that manner.  After all, she's supposed to be a lawyer who should have a strong sense of professionalism about her.  I was disappointed that she couldn't see how her actions would be perceived---even if she didn't personally care.  There are a lot of people I come in contact with and although I may not like them, I do know my behavior will reflect a lot about who I am or who they perceive me to be.  So with that being said, perhaps #45 isn't the only one who needs some mental health counseling.

I wanted to share what one Washington Post reader had to say when he saw the picture:

"Is this how professional women you know sit, kneeling on the couch with their legs open?  
 
You visit your lawyer and she sits like this? Her assistant sits like this? Kneeling, knees apart?  
 
You visit your doctor and the nurse sits like this? Skirt above her knees, kneeling , legs apart? The doctor sits like this?  
 
You go into you bosses office and she's sitting like this, kneeling in her chair, knees open?  
 
You go to see your kid's teacher or principal and she kneels in her chair with her skirt above her knees, knees apart?  
 
If so, congratulations : please feel free to notice nothing undignified here. It's all okay -- so do not speak badly of any woman who acts like a slob this way. Not any fat woman, not any black woman, not any woman. 
 
If this okay for so-called and Conway -- it is perfectly fine for any woman. No snickering, please. 
 
Just like it is fine for any famous female to grab the crotch of any man she feels like."

My mama used to say you can take a person out of the trailer park  but you can't always take the trailer park out of a person---even with a law degree.

#smh 

How Old is Too Old to Be a Leader?

As a Baby Boomer, I have the mindset that you're never too old to set new goals and accomplish your dreams.  You know what they say, "Age is nothing but a number," and "Live your life and forget your age."  

Well Donald Trump is changing my attitude about how old is too old to do certain things--in this case TOO OLD to be President of the United States.  This man was born in 1946, making him a part of the first way of the baby boomer generation.  The year he was born, Jim Crow laws were in full effect. One month after his birth, two black couples were murdered by the KKK in Monroe, GA.  It is interesting to note that in 1927, Trump's father, Fred, was reportedly arrested during a KKK riot in Queens, NY.  Exactly what role he played is unclear although #45 vehemently denies his father had any ties to the Klan back then. (Washington Post article)

The point I'm trying to make here is growing older doesn't always make you wiser.  Many older people get stuck in their ways and in their past.  Some become senile.  Some are resistant to change--always referring back to the 'good ol' days' and wanting to 'Make America Great Again!'

#45 is a 70-year-old man who grew up in a golden bubble, where he was immune to the struggles of everyday Americans---especially minorities and immigrants.  The world he lives in has little tolerance for those who truly need a helping hand.  Yes, he vowed to take care of his supporter base but since he has no real connection to or understanding of them, he is going to rely heavily on white nationalist Stephen K. Bannon (age 63) to guide him along. And if I may say so, Bannon looks like he truly came out of rural white America. 

The behavior of #45 makes one question if he is mentally all there.  Some psychiatrists have actually come out and said he exhibits signs of mental illness.  Perhaps, he is on the road to dementia, since his own father developed Alzheimer's late in his life.   His temperamental behavior at press briefings leads me to believe he's just cantankerous, which is an adjective to describe old people.  

Whatever the case might be, he is too old to be in office and, personally, I think it's time to revisit a portion of the Constitution:

Age and Citizenship requirements - US Constitution, Article II, Section 1

• No person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United States, at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the office of President; neither shall any person be eligible to that office who shall not have attained to the age of thirty-five years, and been fourteen years a resident within the United States.

LIMIT the age you're able to run to 60.

The Importance of Mental Health Days After 50

Statistics show Baby Boomers tend to be the most loyal to their jobs. We show up on time and try not to take more days off than necessary. Many of us take pride in never having called out sick.

Well, now that I've returned to the workforce I see the absolute NEED to call out sick---even when I'm not. These are my "Mental Health Days." I am one of those people who rarely gets sick enough to call out but I DO get frustrated enough to take care of my sanity.

If you're over 50 and still working an eight hour, five-days-a-week job, mental health days become EXTREMELY important. Here are some signs you might need to take a day off for your mental health's sake:

YOU AREN’T ENJOYING YOUR WEEKENDS: If the stress of your Monday through Fridays is bleeding into your Saturdays and Sundays, you probably need a day off. It’s normal to get the “Sunday evening blues” as your weekend draws to an end, but if all you can think about is how much you dread going in to work the next day, you need to take another day to re-group and revitalize.


YOU LACK CREATIVITY: When we’re mentally drained, the first thing to go is our creativity. A tired brain results in work that lacks imagination, originality, and resourcefulness. You get used to doing the same things, the same old way. Take a hard look at your last few projects. If they’re missing the creative edge you usually bring to the table, it’s a sign that your mind needs a break.


LITTLE THINGS ARE SETTING YOU OFF: You find yourself snapping at everybody no matter where you are and the smallest things are upsetting. Your co-worker is asking for help and you're frustrated she asked you instead of trying to figure it out for herself first. Never mind the fact that she thinks you're really good at your job and she wants to learn from the best. Also, if you find yourself in an outrage because the person in front of you at the checkout counter is taking too much time to count her exact change, your best course of action is to call in (mentally) sick to work before you snap unnecessarily at someone else.


YOU'RE PLOTTING WAYS TO GET BACK AT YOUR YOUNGER BOSS: Yes, he might be an asshole and he might not treat you with a lot of respect but if you're spending all of your time and energy trying to figure out how to get back at him or get him fired, you might be sending yourself into an early grave. Thinking those negative thoughts all the time can only create stress and we all know stress KILLS.

Try this: the meaner he/she is to you, the nicer you are to them. It is truly a challenge, (trust me because I know first-hand) but if you continue with "positive thoughts" things are surely to turn around in your favor.

YOU'RE BRINGING YOUR WORK HOME EVERYDAY: If you're coming home and still talking and/or thinking about what's going on at your job, you need some mental health intervention. Home is supposed to be a place for sanctuary; a place you can go to forget about the troubles of the day. Home is where you should be relaxing and re-energizing and giving loved ones your undivided attention. If you can't do that, a mental health day should be considered mandatory.

When was the last time you took a mental health day from work? By the way, Mental Health Day is celebrated every year on October 10th.  So be sure to mark your calendar and request the day IN ADVANCE :).